The inspiration behind the smash hit Netflix original series Lupin!

"This unreflecting action, one of those which every criminal inevitably commits, was to betray him twenty years later. Just now, the blows which I struck to force the door of the drawing-room released the pendulum. The clock was set going, struck eight o'clock ... and I possessed the clue of thread which was to lead me through the labyrinth."

Disappointed and heartbroken over the loss of her dowry, Hortense Daniel plans to elope with a longtime friend. She's waylaid by the charming Prince Serge Rénine, a guest at her uncle's house party, and the two explore an abandoned tower on the estate. Making a grisly discovery—two skeletons on the roof!—the pair set out to discover who could have committed such a heinous crime. When the mystery is solved, Prince Rénine (Arsène Lupin in disguise) invites the young lady to assist in seven more adventures.

With mysteries ranging from a stolen piece of jewellery to an attempted murder, the connected tales of The Eight Strokes of the Clock show Maurice Leblanc's gentleman-thief playing at detective, often resorting to unlawful methods to get results.

Kobo Editions offers this fully-accessible version of the original text for your enjoyment.